Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 1, 2011 --

Atlanta (Feb. 16, 2011) – Our world is seeing a swelling of youth populating so many influential nations and making themselves heard by any means necessary. These young people are becoming adults and entering the workforce as overconnected, overprotected and overwhelmed individuals. This paradoxical demographic, the second half of Generation Y born since 1990, has been conditioned to be a group of me-centered kids with underdeveloped coping skills. This is Generation iY—destined for disillusionment and failure unless we figure out how to engage them effectively and lead them wisely.

In his latest book, Generation iY, Our Last Chance to Save Their Future, internationally recognized leadership expert, Dr. Tim Elmore, describes the tangible, negative impacts of the “I” (or Internet) world on the youngest segment of Millennials—Generation iY. Based on his experiences working with more than 300,000 students, faculty and staff on hundreds of campuses across the country, Elmore concludes that without the intervention of parents, teachers and employers, the youth of Generation iY is in trouble. He describes the characteristics of these young people, the parenting and teaching styles that have contributed to the situation, and the specific tactics adults must take to prepare them for life in a new reality.

“Much more than their predecessors in Generation X, young people from Generation iY seem to be acting as a generational group,” says Elmore. “The university students I talk to throughout the world feel they belong to each other. Their attitudes and ideas are comparable. They face many of the same challenges. And they are truly connected, via technology, across the globe. This, of course, doesn’t sound bad. What’s wrong with a tight-knit demographic group like this, especially one that seems friendly and energetic? The problem is that when a population is this large and homogeneous, its weaknesses tend to be magnified.”

Elmore continues: “There is definitely a downside to the globalization of this new generation. Their growth, behaviors and connection are causing concern among sociological experts—especially when their numbers grow in a geographical or social trouble spot. We are seeing that today in places like Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.”

Generation iY defines the group’s “Twixter” tendency to delay assuming adult responsibility. But this phenomenon is not limited to iY youth in America. It is sweeping the world, or at least the developed world, where each country has its own name for it. The same is true of this generation’s other iY characteristics, so we are not in this alone. It is a global challenge with consequences right here at home. Unless we help them think and act like authentic leaders, they won’t be ready for the responsibility thrust on them as they enter young adulthood.


Yet there is good news. In Generation iY, Elmore outlines a plan to help educators, parents and managers counsel, mentor and manage this young group of future leaders. Based on his experience coaching and training educators and young people, and through proven research, Generation iY provides a clear path to help turn our future leaders into mature, strong young people with the power to change the world.

To find out more about Generation iY, Our Last Chance to Save Their Future visit our web site at www.savetheirfuturnow.com.

# # #

About the Author
Dr. Tim Elmore is the founder and president of Growing Leaders, an international non-profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Through Growing Leaders, Elmore and his team provide public schools, state universities, civic organizations and corporations with the tools they need to help develop young leaders who can impact and transform society. Elmore’s curriculum is widely recognized as one of the most effective programs for training and inspiring our next generation of leaders.

Elmore has written more than 25 books, including the best-selling Habitudes™: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Life Giving Mentors, and Nurturing the Leader Within Your Child. He has delivered leadership training and keynotes to hundreds of academic, corporate and athletic organizations in more than 30 countries. More about Elmore and Growing Leaders can be found at www.growingleaders.com.

Generational gap     GenY     Growing Leaders     millenials     TIm Elmore